Tuesday, April 20, 2010

toga, Toga, TOGA!!!

Despite it being indisputably linked to the idea of college and frat parties (thanks in large part to Animalhouse), the toga actually began as the garment of a strong, Roman male. They were usually made of a woolen material and worn on special occasions by male citizens. Different forms of the toga were worn to indicate status or occasion and were typically worn over a tunic or a loin cloth. They were made of a semicircular piece of cloth that was cut to be three times the wearer's height. It was wrapped around the body in a series of intricate folds that left the right arm restricted, making it impossible to put one on alone. Its typical features included a one-shouldered bodice, long-length, waist belt or tie, and pleats.Although you don't generally see people running around in traditional Roman garb unless there is a keg in the vicinity, it is easy to see traces of inspiration in modern fashion. Ironically most of these are seen in womens dresses, when originally women weren't even allowed to wear the toga. Check out some of these toga ancestors: